Carnegie Hall, look out! Zoe Elias has big musical dreams. As soon as she gets a glossy baby grand piano, she’ll be on her way. Trouble is, what Zoe gets is a wood-grained, vinyl-seated, wheeze-bag organ. The Perfectone D-60. How will she ever be discovered as a prodigy when her lesson book is The Hits of the Seventies? Not even a cha-cha beat can make the theme song from The Brady Bunch sound like Beethoven. If you add to that problem a mom who’s always at work, a dad who’s afraid to leave the house, and an odd boy who follows her home from school every day, Zoe’s big dreams are looking pretty lopsided. But when she enters the annual Perform-O-Rama organ competition, Zoe discovers that life is full of surprises–and that maybe a little lopsidedness will help her find what she’s really hoping for.
Download and start listening now!
"I listened to the audiobook: the narration was excellent--a perfect Zoe. I enjoyed Zoe's character and her realistic struggles. The ending felt a bit abrupt to me--what happened to her new friend from the organ competition? Didn't she feel at all sad when the organ (who helped her grow and place in the competition) was leaving?"
— Leslie (4 out of 5 stars)
" allison wants to learn to play the piano. "
— Andrea(:, 2/18/2014" Totally surprised by how charmed I was. Every single bit of it, from the different set up to the characters to the writing. And the organ. Is it really so hard to deal with special needs in understated ways like this? If Linda Urban and Gennifer Choldenko can do it, so can other authors. Learn from them, other authors. "
— Shelley, 2/5/2014" Funny! Clever, well written, uplifting. "
— Rebecca, 2/2/2014" Sweet story about how sometimes even when we don't get what we want, what we do get can be just as good. "
— Stephanie, 1/28/2014" It was good, I liked it, kind of funny!!! "
— Gracie, 1/23/2014" Hip, hip, HOORAY for Linda Urban!!! I read this book tonight.....it was funny, touching, cynical, honest ~ a MUST read for tweens and on up! (Including me - an old fogey!) Such fun!! "
— Gayle, 1/17/2014" I wish I could be more articulate about why this book was so much more satisfying than other YA I have read recently. "
— Mary, 1/14/2014" its very good and funny "
— Nellie, 1/8/2014" I loved this book! Loved, loved, loved. It was funny and sweet and had a fantastic message that was gently delivered by interesting characters! Writing was excellent. Simple, sweet, funny, interesting, thought provoking...my perfect read. "
— Amy, 11/26/2013" Even though I just started it its very good so far. It really pulled me in. "
— Kiera, 11/21/2013" I thought that it was kind of hard to follow! "
— Kylie, 11/11/2013" Humorous look at the challenges of being a kid in a normal, yet uniquely crazy world. Addressed issues of parental mistakes without intentional malevolence. "
— Ronna, 10/27/2013" I LOVE THIS BOOK!This reminds me so much of me,because I play the piano.I love playing the piano,just like her.Also some day I would actually want to play at Carnegie Hall too.I will succeed.:D "
— Leora, 10/26/2013" This book was very good! I could not put it down! "
— Emma, 4/18/2013" Hilarious and heart-rending account of a 11-year-old girl and her determination to play piano, but on an organ. Sweet relationship with her dad who has social anxiety. "
— PRES, 10/31/2012" It was ok. Not one of my favorites, and one of the reasons I didnt like it, is because I didn't like the plot. "
— Aleesia, 10/27/2012" A sweet tween book. "
— Sandy, 7/24/2012" Very cute! I grew up with an organ like this in our house and played many of the songs that were mentioned in the book. "
— Pam, 4/27/2012" Great children's book. The back cover says it's geared for ages 8-12, but I'm going to recommend it to my 13-year-old daughter as the message could easily be a metaphor for all teens. It is cleverly written and moves quickly. Thanks, Connie, for the recommendation. "
— Shauna, 4/22/2012" I've posted a few thoughts on my blog. "
— alisonwonderland, 3/6/2012" a fun "girl book". Zoe wants a piano so that she can play in carnegie hall. Unfortunatley, her dad bought her an organ. On top of that - her best friends now hangs out with the cool kids and her father is a agoraphobic. Funny book. A good quick read "
— Kim, 12/8/2011" Cute, fast read. I am finding that if I read YOUNG adult fiction I won't have to deal with tons of swearing. "
— Ashlynn, 8/30/2011" Its good. Sort of. It's not really catching my attention. :? "
— Mikayla, 7/3/2011" Loved this book. A great way to look at the world. Or at least I think so any way ;-) "
— Haylee, 5/4/2011" Cute story about making and losing friends changing and staying the same trying something new when you dont want to and overcoming your fears and doing something for someone you love "
— Kath, 4/27/2011" luv it, read it twice, great book. Easy read "
— Autumn, 4/22/2011" Cute book. Zoe played the organ but she wanted so bad to play a shiny baby piano! "
— Anissa, 4/15/2011" A wonderful book about a girl who loves to play piano "
— Sophie, 4/13/2011" Cute, cute little book for tweens. "
— Katie, 4/12/2011" This was a great audio book!<br/> "
— Tummysnap, 4/7/2011" I also agree with emma. "
— Grace, 3/30/2011" The moral of this story is to never give up. Zoe never did even when her dad didn't show up at the concert! I would be really mad if my dad did that! "
— Kinsey, 3/23/2011" This book quietly snuck in and knocked the toe socks off of me. Quirky, warm, sweet, true - I'm going to be shoving this into my students hands. And wondering why it's not better known. "
— Kyla, 3/22/2011Linda Urban has written many award-winning books for young readers, including the award-winning Weekends with Max and His Dad. For ten years, she served as marketing director at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California. She teaches in a writing for children and young adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit her at LindaUrbanBooks.com.
Tai Alexandra Ricci is an audiobook narrator whose readings include the Red Blazer Girls series by Michael D. Beil.